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17-year-old to be charged as adult in alleged robberies

By Ray KingOF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

A 17-year-old arrested Friday night in connection with the robbery of two convenience stores last week will be charged as an adult with multiple felonies.

Jabari Barkins was found driving a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle that had been parked near the R&N Grocery at 5901 Sulphur Springs Road when that business was robbed Monday, June 26, Detective Roger Gray said in a probable cause affidavit presented Tuesday in Jefferson County District Court.

An employee was behind the counter when she saw a man outside the store carrying a black bag and wearing a bandanna and black gloves, according to the affidavit. The man allegedly pointed a handgun at an employee who was outside before entering the store, pointing the gun at the second employee and demanding money.

Gray said the employee emptied two cash registers and the suspect left the store. Several witnesses told police they had seen a truck parked on East Lake Drive and the driver of the truck had paid them cash to watch the truck for a short time.

At about 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, police were sent to Town and Country at 5000 Old Warren Road where a clerk said a man wearing a red hoodie pointed a gun at her and demanded money. The clerk allegedly gave the man the cash drawer from the register and he left the business. A witness reported hearing what sounded like a truck leaving the area.

At about 9:30 p.m., police in the area stopped a truck driven by Barkins at West 42nd Avenue and Old Warren Road and saw a red hoodie and a black bag in the floorboard. A cash drawer containing cash was found inside the bag.

Gray reported that Barkins’ mother was present when her son was interviewed and he allegedly said he had gone to Town and Country with a gun and demanded money and also allegedly said he had taken the cash drawer.

Barkins also allegedly said the gun he used was in the truck.

Gray reported that when he started to ask Barkins about the R&N Robbery, the boy’s mother asked for an attorney and the interview was stopped.

A search warrant was served on the truck and a .38-caliber pistol was found in the truck, along with a blue bandanna and other items. According to the affidavit, the gun had been reported stolen.

The witnesses who had been paid cash to watch the truck identified Barkins as the person who had been driving the truck after being shown photo line-ups, the affidavit said.

Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth set a $100,000 bond for Barkins on Tuesday after ruling prosecutors had probable cause to charge him with two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of theft of property, one count of theft by receiving for the allegedly stolen handgun and two counts of terroristic threatening.

Barkins was also ordered to have no contact with the alleged victims until the case is settled.